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Tag: gin

As Public Health Wales claims drinking spirits is bad for you, we rebut their frankly stupid study On Tuesday, The Telegraph reported that a completely unscientific study by an organisation named Public Health Wales had found that spirits are more likely to “trigger bouts of depression and unexpected weeping.” Said also to cause … Continue reading “More gin, vicar?”

Matthew Steeples visits Boisdale of Mayfair with restaurateur Nicky Kerman – and samples a marmalade infused gin cocktail (or three) Though most will recognise Boisdale for its tartan décor, traditional cuisine and fine malt whiskies, this live music restaurant group’s most recent opening, Boisdale of Mayfair, is a place as well suited to afternoon … Continue reading “Marmalade in Mayfair”

Study reveals drinking alcohol can improve memory A study has revealed that those that drink alcohol after studying recall what they learnt better than those that don’t. The University of Exeter set 88 drinkers a word-learning task and then split them into two random groups. The first were told to drink as much … Continue reading “Brainy Boozing”

Matthew Steeples takes tea in the delightful courtyard garden at Blakes Hotel in South Kensington, London Blakes Hotel is synonymous with the now much overused description “boutique hotel” and is generally considered the world’s first. It opened in 1978, is a destination that is popular with the likes of Seal and Sharon Stone and … Continue reading “Tea at Blakes”

A 20-question interview with self-made businessman and star of ‘My Fat Gypsy Fortune’ Alfie Best The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force? For a man to know where he is going, he must remember where he is from. “Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a … Continue reading “Alfie Best – What’s on your mantelpiece?”

A tenacious Romany Gypsy turned multi-millionaire businessman, Mayfair and Hertfordshire based Alfie Best overcame “many obstacles and prejudices” to make his fortune in cars, mobile phone stores and mobile home parks. The owner of Wyldecrest Parks also produces his own gin and claims his life philosophy is “90% perspiration and 10% inspiration”. His equally entrepreneurial … Continue reading “Alfie Best II”

Spirits brands hike prices by upto 16% and blame Brexit for increasing their supply-side costs Drink loving Brexiteers may have cause to reconsider their enthusiasm for Britain leaving the EU. Since last year’s referendum, the price of vodka has risen 5% on average whilst gin is up 3%. Bombay Sapphire has hiked its … Continue reading “Booze Bashed By Brexit”

BBC executives drink surprisingly little gin, yet the Mail Online make rather a fuss about it On Saturday, the Mail Online published an article about the BBC spending £115,049 on wine, beer and spirits in 2013, 2014 and 2015 following a Freedom of Information Request. The paper surprisingly focused on a total spending … Continue reading “Auntie’s Hardly Ruined”

New series contrasting the ‘old’ and the ‘new’ begins with Sloane Rangers Back in the late 1970s and early 1980s, Lady Diana Spencer used to drink at The Admiral Codrington whilst Sloanes named Perdita and Peregrine downed gin like it was water in The Australian in Milner Street. Loud braces and yellow cords … Continue reading “Old and New – Sloanes”

Kathryn Fensterstock reports on a party to celebrate Pickett’s new partnership with the Mayor’s Fund for London On 16th November, to mark becoming an official charity partner of the Mayor’s Fund for London, Pickett hosted a drinks reception and raffle in Mayfair’s Burlington Gardens. Guests, including Sotheby’s director Joanna Booth, Cristina Maxson, the … Continue reading “Partnering With Pickett”

Is a gin made with lobster acceptable? Matthew Steeples suggests such an abomination is anything but; and then selects his five favourite gins Like it or not, gin is a traditional drink; it has never really conquered vodka’s dominance in America and women claim it makes them depressed. Most certainly, gin is a drink … Continue reading “Gin and Lobster”

Karol Rybicki of The Sanderson wins La Brasserie’s first inter-bar cocktail competition On Sunday evening La Brasserie in Brompton Cross, South Kensington hosted their first inter-bar cocktail competition. The winner was Karol Rybicki of The Sanderson.

A review of Gillray’s Steakhouse & Bar James Gillray (1756 – 1815) was a Chelsea born caricaturist and printmaker and is most famous for his satires against George III. In naming their restaurant after him, the Marriott County Hall has firmly pinned themselves to honouring his spirit and life.

20 questions with food writer and car collector Morgan Murphy The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force? Bourbon and bacon, which is, by the way, the title of my next book coming out from Time Inc. next year. No, it’s not a diet book. “Don’t get even, get medieval” … Continue reading “Morgan Murphy: “What’s on your mantelpiece?””

The births, deaths and innovations of the year 2013 has been a year of change. Much new has reached us but sadly many have left us and amongst them have been Iain Banks, Joan Fontaine, Sir David Frost, Richard Griffiths, Cory Monteith, James Gandolfini, Lou Reed and Paul Walker.

Our tribute to Martin Miller We learnt yesterday via Facebook that the founder of Martin Miller’s Gin and Miller’s Antiques Guides, Martin Miller, had died. Like many others, we were shocked and astounded by this terrible news.

Wishing our readers a very Merry Christmas As we all head home for the holidays, may we take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas. We’ve had a busy year at The Steeple Times and below we highlight some of our favourite stories as a collage.

Tesco place a “Back to School” banner above an alcohol display in Swansea Shoppers at Tesco in Fforestfach, Wales were controversially confronted by a display of gin, vodka and whisky complete with a “Back to School” sign in recent days.

20 questions with Peter Wetherell, Mayfair’s leading estate agent The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force? The revival of Mayfair as the best residential village of what is now called “Prime Central London” (PCL). “Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours? … Continue reading “Peter Wetherell: “What’s on your mantelpiece?””

A review of Gilpin’s Gin and a call to save juniper This week it was reported that there’s a crisis in the world of gin. Juniper, the plant that provides the botanical essential to create this remarkable spirit, is threatened by loss of habitat and a deadly new fungus.

The Steeple Times asks drinks industry guru and blogger Gary Hazell: “What’s on your mantelpiece?” The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force? “Go with your inner instinct”. I always think that most of us know instinctively what is right or wrong. “Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our … Continue reading “Gary Hazell: “What’s on your mantelpiece?””

He’s taken action against 16 newspapers as: “If they tell lies, I sue them” and another court case resulted in Michael Winterbottom having to change the name of a film about his father, the club owner, pornographer and property tycoon Paul Raymond. Termed by some as the new “King of Soho”, Raymond launched a London … Continue reading “Howard Raymond”

Aldi’s £9.65 a bottle gin sees off premium spirits in a taste test Gin, in its simplest form is effectively a neutral spirit plus juniper berries. Other botanicals, such as cassisa bark, saffron and grapefruit peel, are added and create the taste difference that distinguish Bombay Sapphire from Plymouth and Sipsmith from Martin Miller’s. … Continue reading “Cromwell triumphs”

A review of Westminster’s Blue Boar Smokehouse Westminster is one of the most intriguing parts of London but it can also be one of the most soulless. It’s an area that is inhabited by politicians and civil servants and it is the haunt of tourists. It’s a place of regal pageantry and ceremony but … Continue reading “Boars and politicos”

Fever-Tree sells a 25% stake for £12 million In recent years, the premium spirits market has boomed in both Britain and America. Drinkers have traded up and become more and more demanding in their choices. Spirits brands have seized on this trend and created what they claim to be better products and enclosed them … Continue reading “Just the tonic”

An evening of fondue at Bodo’s Schloss in Kensington Bodo’s Schloss, a restaurant, bar and disco reminiscent of an Austrian alpine lodge, opened late last year and became an instant hit with the Chelsea set. For them and personalities such as Cameron Diaz and Gwyneth Paltrow, in fact, it’s rather like a little slice … Continue reading “The Royal Borough is alive with the taste of fondue”

Five ways to please someone special on Valentine’s Day With Valentine’s Day nearly upon us, we offer five suggestions for gifts for ladies, gents and to enjoy together. Naturally, there’s something for all budgets. For her: Bougie Macaron Girls love macarons and they love Bougie’s creations more than any other. These delicate, … Continue reading “Five of the best: Ideas for Valentine’s Day”

Matthew Steeples reports on the latest initiative from The Rib Room Last week my friends and I enjoyed an evening of live music at The Rib Room at Knightsbridge’s Jumeirah Carlton Tower. Each Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 9.30pm various artists perform in the buzzy bar of this fine establishment and amongst … Continue reading “Jazz and gin”

The undisputed king of gin. Martin Miller didn’t like the gins he tried and so created his own, Martin Miller’s Gin. It is wonderful. This father of five and husband of Ioana Beju was also the genius behind Miller’s Antiques Guides and a brilliant hotelier. He enjoyed life to the full in true Dickensian style and … Continue reading “Martin Miller (1946 – 2013)”

Five of the best places to enjoy a great lunch deal in The Royal Borough It being January, we’re all after a deal. Here are a few places that you can enjoy on a budget in the country’s most expensive borough. Sette, 4 Sydney Street, SW3, 6PP Situated in the heart of Chelsea, … Continue reading “Five of the best: Lunch deals in The Royal Borough”

A review of Hawksmoor Guildhall, EC2V In the first of a series, we publish a number of the most popular articles from the blog that conceived The Steeple Times. Here, in a February 2012 piece, Matthew Steeples reviews a boozy breakfast at Hawksmoor Guildhall with Anthony Brown. After seeing an image of their breakfast … Continue reading “Breakfast hawks”

A £15 million mansion fit for a self-made tycoon or an upwardly mobile WAG While the youth of the Kings Road and Loughton have featured in the reality shows Made in Chelsea and The Only Way is Essex, their counterparts in Cheshire have yet to undergo the same social experiment. Having come across a … Continue reading “Windows on the WAGs”

Christian Huhnt reports on recent changes at Cassis restaurant As I work in the arts and also collect wines, I find Cassis Bistro in South Kensington most comfortable as here I find myself surrounded by great works by Julian Opie, Gary Hume and Henri Matisse alongside as a humongous and well-stocked wine rack at … Continue reading “The perils of fusion”

Kerri Moss Beaumont tells of the joys of being a mother of four who also manages to enjoy life to the max A few weeks ago, my husband and I were at an end of summer barbeque. We got chatting to a glamorous couple in their early 30s and we were asked: “So when … Continue reading “The Compliment”

Our “What’s on your mantelpiece?” question “What time is it acceptable to have the first drink of the day?” has attracted a large mailbag of correspondence. What’s your view? Please submit letters to editorial@thesteepletimes.com. All letters must be accompanied by contact details and your name and postal address. SIR – I drink from the … Continue reading ““What time is it acceptable to have the first drink of the day?””

Her knowledge of gin and the London bar scene is beyond impressive. She’s sociable and she possesses an enthusiasm that knows no bounds. She travels with a suitcase full of gin and for this and her jovial manner, Abrahams is always one of the most welcome guests at any gathering.

Celebrate World Gin Day at The Rib Room At 12 noon I often receive a message from my good friend the photographer to the stars, John Stoddart. As a fellow gin aficionado, we regularly raise a toast to one another as well as all manner of others things. After all, as they say: “If … Continue reading “Gin O’Clock”

A food and drinks marketing guru who: “Travels to all ends of the earth for the sake of more than just nourishment.” An award winning connector and PR pro, here is a lady with an encyclopedic knowledge of bars and restaurant second to none. Parties at her home are renowned for the fine food that … Continue reading “Su-Lin Ong”

Here is an amazing lady who is responsible for more gins than you could possibly imagine. Britain’s only female master distiller combines herbs and spices and most importantly juniper to create gins such as BLOOM and Berkeley Square. This flavourmaker’s favourite food is Stilton cheese.

This blonde bombshell is a mother of four who somehow manages to juggle family life with a jet-set lifestyle. She drives a Maserati, plays golf and teaches yoga but also manages to fit in a bit of fine dining, sailing and partying. She doesn’t dance on the tables at Boujis quite as often as she … Continue reading “Kerri Moss Beaumont”

A top British blogger who is the lady behind the legend that is Gin and Crumpets. This freelance writer is also the co-author of The Contented Calf Cookbook and knows more about gin than you could possibly imagine. A lunch or dinner in her company is an utter pleasure.

Churchill’s most highly decorated special agent. A resistance heroine who lived at The Stafford Hotel from 2001 to 2003 and regaled visitors with tales of her time as the legendary “White Mouse.” Her tipple of choice, gin and tonics, flowed as freely as did the stories of her time interviewing Hitler in the 1930s and … Continue reading “Nancy Wake AC GM (1912 – 2011)”

The son of screen legend Anton Rodgers is one to watch in the drinks industry. He’s worked with some of the top brands but is now embarking on a new chapter guiding strategy for a variety of clients. He’s a dab hand in the kitchen and also responsible for the phrase: “I’d rather eat wasps.”

One of the Brown-Forman family of booze barons who is now making it on his own. This Laguna Beach resident sold his tequila brand for a profit of $10 million in 2007 and is now educating the world in the Right way to drink gin.